A proposal to increase housing supply in Zillmere and other low-medium density areas forms part of a broader plan to enable more homes in well-serviced Brisbane suburbs.
Background and Context for Zillmere
Planning changes have been outlined to help address Brisbane’s rising housing demand, with Zillmere identified among the suburbs included in a review of low-medium density residential (LMR) areas. The review sits within a broader program responding to population growth and changing household structures.
Material supporting the city’s housing strategy states that about 210,800 additional homes will be needed by 2046 due to interstate and overseas migration, natural population increases and smaller household sizes. Single people and couples now account for more than half of all households, while a large share of dwellings still have three or more bedrooms.
LMR zones account for 14 per cent of Brisbane’s residential land and cover selected parts of suburbs including Zillmere, Morningside, St Lucia and Moorooka. Despite strong demand, development in these zones has slowed, with new homes falling from about 1,100 a year to 445 in 2023 as rising construction costs made smaller projects harder to deliver.
Proposed Planning Changes Affecting Zillmere
Under the “More Homes, Sooner” initiative, proposed updates aim to increase housing choice within LMR areas such as Zillmere. Allowable building heights would move to three storeys across these zones, with up to four storeys permitted on well-located sites close to frequent public transport or shopping areas.
Minimum lot sizes would be reduced from 260 square metres to 120 square metres, making it possible to build more townhouses, row houses, units and small apartment buildings. Subdivision rules would be adjusted so that eligible sites extend from within 200 metres to within 300 metres walking distance of a shopping centre.
The development assessment process would be simplified to speed up decisions. Parking requirements would also be revised to help reduce construction costs, bringing them more into line with nearby local areas while still remaining higher than previous city settings.
Explanatory Details and Potential Impacts
Taken together, these measures are expected to support the delivery of up to 6,000 additional homes by 2032. The focus is on providing more options for younger buyers seeking to enter the housing market and older residents looking to downsize into smaller dwellings.
Design provisions would remain in place to manage how new projects sit within existing streets. These provisions include setbacks from freestanding houses, maximum building footprints and requirements for space that can accommodate street trees.
Industry and Community Sentiment
Industry organisations have expressed support for changes that make small infill projects more commercially viable. They have highlighted that increased building heights, reduced minimum lot sizes and adjusted parking rates can ease feasibility pressures and open up more diverse housing options.
Community views referenced in the material include first-home seekers who have struggled to purchase a property and renters who have seen older people remain in larger homes because they cannot find suitable smaller alternatives nearby. For suburbs like Zillmere, additional smaller dwellings are presented as a way to address these issues.
Comparison With Wider Planning Trends
The proposed approach for LMR zones is consistent with broader moves across Australia to increase housing density near transport and services. Recent planning updates in New South Wales and Victoria have expanded opportunities for multi-unit housing around public transport hubs, although each jurisdiction uses different zoning tools and height limits.
Next Steps for Zillmere
Residents can provide initial feedback on the proposed “More Homes, Sooner” changes through online channels, with formal consultation scheduled to begin in early 2026. The LMR review will guide how suburbs such as Zillmere accommodate more diverse housing close to existing transport, shops and services over the coming years.
Published 8-Dec-2025
